so, those classed as employers and self-employed tended to increase as a proportion of the economically active in the older age categories, particularly in 1998. Overall, the trends indicate that increasingly, older workers are more likely to be employees and less likely to be employers or self-employed in 2014, compared to 1998.
Table 2
Employees, the self-employed and employers between 50 and 64 active in the labour market, 1998 and 2014
Employer
Self-employedEmployees
Age
1998
2014
Trend 1998-2014
1998
2014
Trend 1998

frequent and longer among women, olderemployees, those exposed to more strenuous physical work, and those with low socioeconomic status ( 5 , 6 ). According to an Irish study, the causes of long-term absence primarily include injuries, poor mental health, and back pain ( 7 ). In EU countries, musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) have the highest prevalence among work-related diseases ( 8 ). A diagnosed MSD often leads to early retirement and is the prevailing risk factor for occupational disability, especially among women ( 9 ).
MSDs are also the main reason for health